Which stage comes first in the process of continental rifting?

The first stage in the process of continental rifting involves the stretching of the crust. This initial stage is crucial because it sets off the series of events that ultimately lead to the rifting itself. During this process, tectonic forces act on the continental lithosphere, causing it to thin and deform. As the crust is stretched, it creates fractures and faults, preparing the way for further geological changes.

Once the crust is sufficiently stretched, magma from the mantle can begin to rise, which contributes to uplift and further rifts. This upward movement of magma contributes to the formation of features such as volcanic activity, which can occur during rifting. Although the other stages, such as the separation of the continent and the subsequent ocean basin formation, are important elements of the rifting process, they follow the initial stretching and destabilization of the crust.